moderate, and as there was no carriage representing it at the train he
set out to walk. It was a small, plain-looking inn, of perhaps thirty
rooms, named after the proprietor:

THE LYNCH HOUSE.

On the road thither he was overtaken by a stranger, whom he remembered
as one of the passengers on the second car. He appeared to be about
forty years of age, and though it was a warm summer evening he was
muffled up about the neck.

"Are you going to stop here over night?" he asked.

"Yes, sir."

"You are the train boy, are you not?"

"Yes, sir."

"What hotel shall you put up at?"

"One recommended to me by the conductor--the Lynch House."

"I think I will stop there too."

"You may not like it. It is a small, cheap house."

"It doesn't matter. I am well provided with money, but I don't care for
style or fashion. I am an invalid, and I prefer the quiet of a small
hotel. There will be less noise and confusion."

"Very well, sir. I think that is the hotel yonder."

Such proved to be the case. It was large on the ground, but only three
stories in height. Over the portico was a sign, bearing the name. It
was by no means fashionable in its appearance, but looked comfortable.

Fred and the stranger entered. A sleepy-looking clerk sat behind the
desk. He opened his eyes, and surveyed the late comers.

"Can you give me a room?" asked Fred.

"I would like one too," said the other.

"We've only got one room left," said the clerk. "That's a back room on
the second story. Are you gentlemen in company?"

"No," answered Fred. "We are strangers to each other."

"Then I can't give but one of you a room. If you don't mind rooming
together, you can both be accommodated."

"Are there two beds in a room?" asked the stranger.

"Yes."

"Then I don't object to occupying it with this young man. He is a
stranger to me, but I watched him on board the train, and I am sure he
is all right."

"Thank you, sir," said Fred.

"Well," said the clerk, "what does the boy say?"

Fred looked curiously at his companion. He was so muffled up that he
could only see a pair of black eyes, a long sallow nose, and cheeks
covered with dark whiskers. The train boy did not fancy his looks much,
but could think of no good reason for declining him as a room
companion. He felt that the gentleman had paid him a compliment in
offering to room with him, particularly when, as he stated, he had a
considerable amount of money about him. He paused a